Mechanical pencil



Feb. 27, 1945. J. F. KUPczYK MECHANICAL PENCIL Filed Sept. 5, 1943 mama m Lfd uns IN VEN TOR. Jop/z Bil? m l I l l Hfff/ *Patented Feb. 27, 1945 MECHANICAL PENCIL Joseph F. Kupczyk, yChicago, lll.

Application September 3, 1943, Serial No. 501,077

(CI. 1Z0-17) 11 Claims.

With the above general objects in view` and' others that will appear as the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the drawing forming a partvof this application, and in which the same designating characters refer to the same parts throughout the several views;

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal lcross-sectional View through the mechanical pencil, illustrating the mechanism thereof while in an inoperative position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, `illustrating the mechanism at the initial stage of its actuation, conditioned to receive lead;

Fig. 3 is a simila` view. showing the condition of the mechanism during the stage of its complete actuation; and

Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the mechanical pencil taken on line 1 -4 of Fig. l.

Referring in detail to the present drawing there is shown barrel i9, within the rear end of which a shorter cylinder il is received for longitudinal sliding movement therein. The outer end of said cylinder I is adapted to receive in a frictional engagement the reduced end I2 of cap I3. Receivable in a frictional engagement within said cylinder II and within its inner end is plug I4. The space within said cylinder II, dened by said cap I3 and plug i4, constitutes magazine for receiving therewithin a supply of leads dit the rear face of said plug I4 a concentric and an outwardly flaring depression Il is made, for facilitating sliding of the adjacent ends of leads I6 to bore Il, made centrally and longitudinally of said plug I4. At the opposite face of said plug I4 a tapering cavity I3 is made. which by its upper constricted end communicates with said bore I8.

The invention further includes stopper 2l frictionally held within the lower end -of barrel Il. Projecting from the lower end of said stopper 2l is a reduced extension 2|. with the resultant shoulder 22 which abuts and rests upon shoulder 23 made in the plastic cover or sheath 24, which envelops said barrel I34 and extension stopper 2.0, extension 2| and sheath 24 are in a mutually stationary condition.

Made centrally of said stopper 2|! is bore 25, which, towards the lower end of said stopper is enlarged and tapering as at 26 and communicates with a bore 21 made .in saidextension 2|. The lowermost end of said bore 21 is threaded as at 28 to receive in threaded engagement the reduced boss 29 of tip 30.

The invention further includes .a longitudinal collet 3l provided with a central bore which is in alinement with bore I8 to receive leads I6. The lower end of said collet 3| has an outwardly ilaring head 32, which normally remains in engagement with the tapering bore 2B made in said stopper 20 as aforesaid. The upper end of said collet 3| is reduced in thickness to affect head 33, which has a downwardly tapering face 34 and an upwardly tapering face 35 at its extreme termination, which conforms 4 to the form of cavity I9. Both the upper and lower ends of said collet 3| are longitudinally slit as at 3i, with the resultant tines tending toA flare outwardly 0f the axis of the said collet 3| so as to permit free and unimpeded sliding motion for lead I6 as they are permitted to slide within the bore made in saidcollet 3| and to constrict the bore with an exerted clamping action upon the lead when the ends of said collet 3| are compressed as will be hereinafter seen.

Positioned within barrel I0 for free sliding movement and adjacent the lower end of cylinder andplug I4is asplitring31 withinwhichthe upper end of collet 3| is received. The aperture in said ring is downwardly tapering as at 38 for engaging the downwardly tapering face of head 33. Interposed between said ring 31 and stopper. 2n is coilA spring 39.

It is observed that bore 25 made in stopper 20 is of a larger diameter than head 33 to permit assembly of said collet within the mechanical pencil through the lower end of extension 2|. Upon insertion of said collet therethrough ring 31 is placed upon the reduced end thereof through its transverse slit.

Receivable within bore 21, and resting upon the upper end of boss 29 is a round tray 40, the annular side wall of which at its inner face is outwardly daring as at 4|. Said tray at its bottom wall is apertured on line with the central bore in collet 3| and bore 42 made in tip 3l. Resting upon the upper termination of side wall of said tray 4I ls a compression ring 43.

-Placed within bore 42 in tip is a friction tube 44 which engages leads Ii and prevents their dropping out of tip 3l, permitting however sliding movement thereof under ejecting action of collet v3| as will be hereinafter apparent. Tube 34 made of sheet brassfhaving a bore of a diam- 2|. By virtueof this arrangement barrel Il, a0 eter correspondingto the diameter of leads, will assure suillcient degree of friction between the tube and the leads.

In normal position of the mechanism of the pencil spring 39, bearing against ring 31 maintains the latter in contact with the downwardly tapering face 34 of head 33, maintaining cylinder in its elevated inoperative position as is seen in Fig. 1. The engagement of ring 31 With head 33 compresses the tines of collet 3| at the upper end thereof; preventing any leads from being received within the bore of collet 3| This action of spring 39 likewise maintains the lower end of collet 3| locked due to the engagement of head 32 with the tapering bore 26. In this position no leads may freely pass through bore in collet 3|, but any lead remaining within said bore is clamped due to the clamping action of head 33 or the other end of collet 3|. Lead which is within tip30, bearing against .the adjacent lead which remains within collet 3| will be prevented from making any backward sliding movement into the pencil.

Upon applying manual pressure upon cap I3, the initial or first stage of the operation of the pencil is brought about, namely downward sliding of cylinder within barrel II'I. This compresses spring 39 and slides ring 31 downwardly and out of engagement with head 33. Disengagement-of ring 31 from head 33 permits the upper end of collet 3| to open and to receive a lead which falls thereinto through bore |8. This initial operation has for its object the passage of a lead through the upper end of collet 3|, the wall 'of tapering cavity |9 remaining out of contact with the adjacent tapering face 35 of head 33 as is clearly seen in Fig. 2. By this operation the lower end of collet 3| remains unaffected, the same still remaining in engagement with stopper 20 through its outwardly flaring head 32.

When cylinder II is further shifted due to the exertion of manual pressure upon cap I3, the next stage of the operation takes place, as shown .in Fig. 3, namely, plug I4 is shifted downwardly so as to engage its tapering cavity I9 with the tapering face 35 of head 33, which results in closing of the several tines of the upper end of collet 3|, bringing about a clamping action upon the lead remaining within the said upper end of collet 3|. This operation shifts collet 3| downwardly due to the pressure of plug I4 at the upper end thereof, shifting the lower end of collet 3| and out of engagement with the tapering bore 26 so as to permit opening of the several tines at the lower end of collet 3|. The downward shifting of collet 3|, and the resultant bearing upon ring 43 f compresses said ring due to the action of the 4tapering face 4| of tray 49. This downward shifting of collet 3| has for its object to close the upper end of said collet and to simultaneously open the lower end thereof, so as to permit any lead remaining within the lower end of said collet to shift downwardly through bore in tray 40 and into bore 42 in tip 30. v

If there are three leads within the several bores, as seen in Fig. 3, the uppermost remaining Within upper end of collet 3| yis clamped therewithin, while lead within the lowermost end of collet 3| is susceptible of free shifting movement within said collet, while the lowermost lead within tip 30 likewise is subjectl to free shifting movement, subject only to the friction action of tube 44. When the pressure at'cap I3 is released. collet 3| springs back due to the action of spring 39 and its-pressure on ring 31. The latter bearing against head 33, shifts said collet back to its' inoperative position, shown in Fig. 1. When in that position both ends of collet 3| exert a strong clamping action upon the leads remaining therewithin.

To bring a lead within tip 30 for writing condition a number of alternate pressures and releases at cap I3 may be required particularly at the time when no leads remain within the several bores centrally of the pencil. When however, at least three leads have been brought within the central bores of the pencil, conditioning of the lowermost lead for its writing position may require only one or two alternate pressures or releases at cap I3.

From the hereinabove description it will be seen that by exerting alternate pressures and releases at cap I3, alternate opening and clamping of the lower end and upper end of collet 3| is brought about for the purpose of downward shifting of any leads within collet 3|.

It is further observed that the uppermost lead I6 within the upper end of collet 3| shifts downwardly within said collet by virtue of its gravity when collet 3| is brought to the initial position illustrated in Fig. 2. When the upper end of collet 3| is clamped, as in the position shown in Fig. 3, the lead exerting pressure upon the adjacent lead within the lower end of collet 3| shifts the latter when the lower end of collet 3| is opened as seen in Fig. 3, While said latter lead shifts the lowermost lead in tip 30. 2

It is further observed that during the application of pressure upon cap I 3 opening of the upper end of collet 3| is effected for a short interval of release of pressure upon cap I3 collet 3| retracts to its original inoperative position, and while shifting upwardly both ends of collet for an interval of space remaining open, the upper end thereof by virtue of the fact that spring 39, bearing against ring 31 shifts the latter into an ultimate engagement with the outwardly tapering wall 38 of head 33, and until that shifting movement of ring31 has been completed the upper end of collet 3| remains open. Likewise head 32 at the lower end of collet 3| remains open, because the same is out of engagement with the tapering bore 26, until said head ultimately cornes into engagement therewith. While collet 3| shifts upwardly with its both ends open, any leads remaining therewithin will be unaffected by the' upward shifting movement of said collet 3 I. 'I'hey will remain in the position inv which they were prior to the upward shifting movement of collet 3| by virtue of their gravity. The object of ring 43 is to maintain said ring in contact with the lower end of collet 3|, and thereby to maintain the downward tapering face 35 of head 33 in contact with the tapering wall of cavity I9, during the downward shifting movement of collet 3|, after the several parts of the mechanismhave passed the initial stage shown in Fig. 2, for the purpose of keeping the upper end of collet 3| in a clamped position so 'as to bear against the lower leads within the lower end of collet 3| and in tip33 for sliding the same forwardly of the pencil. As collet 3| shifts downwardly, and as it comes in contact with said compression ring 43, further bearing of the lower end of collet 3| upon said ring compresses theisame and forces it into tray 40 to slide to the bottom thereof while guided by the downwardly tapering face 4| of the side wall of the said tray 40. When collet 3l retracts upon the release of the pressure upon cap I3, said ring '43 has no function insofar as mechanism of the pencil is concerned, except that it springs back to its original inoperative position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

'I'hus it will be seen that when the mechanism of the pencil is in the position illustrated in Fig.

3, lead I6 within the upper end of collet 3| is clamped and firmly held therewithin against sliding movement. The lower end of collet 3|, however, ls then completely opened, so that when the pressure upon cap I3 is released and collet 3| retracts, lead I6 within the lower end of collet will not be retracted, due to the fact that there is no frictional hold therebetween, and the lead will remain in its extended position, due to gravitational force, as well as due .to its frictional engagement with tube 44. When the action at cap I3 is repeated all the leads remaining within bores I8, 42 and the bore in collet 3| will be successively shifted towards the front of the pencil.

From the hereinabove description it will be seen .that in effect heads 32 and 33 provide two longitudinally disposed and cooperating clutches,

by virtue of which arrangement leads remaining within said heads, collet 3| and tip'30 will not slide back into the pencil whenexcess pressure is applied at the lowermost lead during writing operation.

While there is described hereina preferred embodiment of the present invention, it; is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

1. A mechanical pencil comprising a barrel, a stopper in the front end of said barrel, said stopper being provided with a central inwardly tapering bore, a collet, one end of said collet being slit to effect a plurality of tines, said collet being provided with a central bore to receive leads therewithin, the said slit end of said collet being outwardly flaring for the purpose of engaging the said end of collet with the periphery of said bore in said stopper for the purpose of compressing said tines towards lthe longitudinal axis of said collet for the purpose of clamping the lead within said collet, a tip in engagement with said stopper, said tip being provided with a longitudinal bore in alinement with the bore in said collet, means for normally maintaining said tines in engagement with the periphery of said bore, means for longitudinally shifting said collet for the purpose of bringing said tines out of engagement with the periphery of said bore for releasing the lead within the collet, means in said tip for engaging leads fed .thereinto from said collet, and means within the rear end of said collet for pressing against the lead remaining within the front end of the collet when said tines remain open for shifting the lead into said bore in said tip when the collet shifts towards the front end of the pencil.

2. A mechanical pencil comprising a barrel, a collet therewithin, said collet having a bore to receive a number of leads in an end to end position, each end of said collet being slit to dene a plurality of tines, means at each end of the collet engaging said tines for maintaining them in a position compressed towards the longitudinal axis of the collet for clamping the leads remaining' within said bore, a tip in engagement with the vfront end of the pencil, said tip being provided with a longitudinal bore in alinement with lsaid bore in said collet, means for shifting said collet to or away from said tip, means for rendering said first named means inoperative on operation of said second named means for successively lreleasing and shifting leads within said collet and into said bore within said tip, and means within said tip for frictionally engaging the leads shifting into its bore.

3. In a mechanical pencil a barrel, a collet therewithin, said collet being provided with a longitudinal bore to receive leads in an end to end position, a clutch at each end of said collet for normally clamping the leads, in said collet for preventing the longitudinal shifting movementI 4. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel, a collet.

therewithin, said collet being provided .with a longitudinal bore to receive leads in an end to end position, a clutch at the front end of said *i collet, a clutch at the rear end of s'aid collet,v

means for normally maintaining said clutches in a locked engagement with leads remaining in said collet, means for shifting said collet longitudinally of said barrel, means for opening the -clutch at the rear end of the collet preceding its shifting movement for receiving a lead through the rear end thereof, and means for'rendering said last named means inoperative for locking the clutch at the rear end of the collet and for simultaneously opening the clutchrat the front end of the collet on operation of said first named means for releasing the lead at the front \end of the collet.

'5. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel, a collet therewithin, said collet being provided vwith a longitudinal bore to receive leads in an4 end to end position, a clutch at the front end of said collet, a clutch at the rear end of said collet, means for normally maintaining said clutches in a locked engagement with leads remaining in said collet, means for shiftingsaid collet longitudinally of said barrel, means for opening the clutch at the rear end of the collet preceding its shifting movement for receiving a lead through the rear end thereof, means for rendering said last named means inoperative for locking the clutch lat the rear end of the collet and for simultaneously opening the clutch at the front end of the collet on operation of said second named means end position, a vclutch at the front end of said collet, a clutch at the rear end of said collet,-

means for normally maintaining said clutches in a locked engagement with leads remaining in said collet, means for shifting said collet longitudinally of'said barrel, means for opening the clutch.

at therear end of the collet preceding its shifting movement for receiving a lead through the rear end thereof. means for rendering said last named means inoperative for locking the clutch at the rear end of the collet and for simultaneously opening 4the clutch at the front end of the collet on operation of said second named means for releasing the lead at the lfront end of the collet, a tip in a rigid engagement with the front end of said barrel, said tip being provided with a bore in alinement with the bore in said collet, the lead released at and through the front end of 4 said collet being adapted to enter said bore in said tip, and means in said ltip for gripping the lead which has entered said latter bore from said collet.

7. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel, a collet therewithin, said collet being provided with a longitudinal bore to receive leads in an end to end position, a clutch at the front end of said collet, a clutch at the rear end of said collet, means for normally maintaining said clutches in a locked engagement with leads remaining in said collet,

' tion, a tip in a rigid engagement with the front end of said barrel, said tip being provided with a bore in alinement with the bore in said collet, the lead released at and through the front end of said collet being adapted to enter said bore in said tip, and means in said tip for gripping the lead entering said latter bore from said collet for preventing retraction thereof during the retracting movement of said collet.

8. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel, a collet therewithin, said collet being provided with a 1ongitudinal bore to receive leads in an end to end position, a clutch at the front end of said collet,- a clutch at the rear end. of said collet, means for normally maintaining said clutches in a locked engagement with leads remaining in said collet, means for shifting said collet longitudinally of said barrel, means for opening the clutch at the rear end of the collet preceding its shifting movement for receiving a lead through the rear end thereof, means for rendering said last -named means inoperative for locking the clutch at the rear end of the collet and for simultaneously opening the clutch at the front end of the collet on operation of said second named means for releasing the lead at the front end of the collet, means for retracting said collet to its normal position, a tip in a rigid engagement with the front end of said barrel, said tip being provided with a bore in alinement with the bore in said collet, the lead released at and through the front end of said collet being adapted'to be pushed into said bore in said tip by the adjacent lead in said collet remaining immediately rearwardly thereof, andmeans in said tip for frictionally engaging the lead entering saidlatter bore from said collet for preventing shifting thereof in either direction when said collet remains in a normalV retracted position. l

9. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel, a collet therewlthin, said collet being provided with a longitudinal bore to receive leads in an end to end position, a clutch at the front end of said collet, a clutch at the rear end thereof, means for normally maintaining both of said clutches in a.

locked engagement with leads remaining in said collet, means for intermittently'shifting said collet forwardly and rearwardly -in a longitudinal direction with respect to said barrel, means for opening and closing both of said clutches on shifting of said collet for successively shifting all of the leads remaining in said collet and into a forl ward direction, and means associated with the `bore in alinement with the bore in said collet,

means to actuate said collet for shifting the same towards said tip, means for normally maintaining said tines at both ends of said collet in a clamping, closed position when said collet is in a retracted position for rigidly engagingv leads remaining within said collet, means for rendering said second named means inoperative for opening the tines at the rear end of the collet preceding the operation of said rst named means for permitting the collet to receive a lead through the rear end thereof, and means for closing the tines at the rear end of the colletand for simultaneously opening the tines at the front end thereof on operation of said rst named means for releasing the lead at the front end of the collet and for shifting the same into the bore of saidtip. and means in said tip for preventing lead remaining therewithin from shifting with the collet when the same retracts into its normal position.

1l. In a mechanical pencil a barrel, a collet Y therewithin, said collet being provided with alongitudinal bore to receive leads in an end to end position and with an enlargement at one end thereof for defining a tapering head, said head being transversely slit longitudinally of said collet for providing a plurality of outwardly tapering tines, a stopper in rigid association with said barrel, said stopper having a central opening through which the opposite end of said collet extends, means in said stopper permitting for- -ward shifting movement o'fsaid collet therewithin but preventing rearward movement thereof, l.-

ring surrounding said collet and normally in engagement with the outer faces of said outwardly tapering tines for clamping lead remaining within said collet, a coil spring interposed between said stopper and said ring for normally maintaining said ring in engagement with said tines.V and means for shifting said ring against said coil spring for disengaging the same from said tines for releasing the lead clamped therewithin, the released lead being adapted to shift through the opposite end of said collet.

JOSEPH F. KUPczYK 

